August 13, 2011
Gai Rei Zero Thoughts
Humans are imperfectable beings that exist on a narrow ledge between virtue and the abyss. Within the noblest of our number there still festers a potential for unspeakable darkness. Even the most virtuous amongst us can release their grip and slip into that abyss in a moment of utter despair. Conversely, people can express kindness, nobility and courage of the highest order, even when their only available choices in life are a selection of horrific options.
Few shows I've seen have managed to explore those truths as well as Gai-Rei-Zero. This show is a story of kindness, responsibility and love told using a series of merciless Gatling gut punches to the audience.
The basic premise is actually 'by the numbers'. It concerns a group of government paranormal investigators who fight the ephemeral things that the general public believe to be myths. This is the formula for a dozen or more shows but this show is very character driven and the execution is superb. This, is not an easy show to watch at times but it is fantastic drama. It's 12 episodes and while 11 might have sufficed it is still very tightly written. The characters are well realized, like-able and develop believably. The animation is well above average, the action sequences are top notch, the horror is horrific and the comedy relief is funny. Hell, even the dub is above average. Alexis Tipton and Leah Clarke in particular play off each other very well. Rewatch value is low for me because as a grown man it is not right for me to cry.
Do note that the first episode is somewhat different in tone from the rest.
If you don't mind spoilers Wonderduck has a very thorough play-by-play style overview of every episode. It can be accessed here.
If you dislike spoilers do NOT buy from the Funimation site as their sales page inexplicably describes the last story arc in detail.
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Humans are imperfectable beings that exist on a narrow ledge between virtue and the abyss. Within the noblest of our number there still festers a potential for unspeakable darkness. Even the most virtuous amongst us can release their grip and slip into that abyss in a moment of utter despair. Conversely, people can express kindness, nobility and courage of the highest order, even when their only available choices in life are a selection of horrific options.
Few shows I've seen have managed to explore those truths as well as Gai-Rei-Zero. This show is a story of kindness, responsibility and love told using a series of merciless Gatling gut punches to the audience.
The basic premise is actually 'by the numbers'. It concerns a group of government paranormal investigators who fight the ephemeral things that the general public believe to be myths. This is the formula for a dozen or more shows but this show is very character driven and the execution is superb. This, is not an easy show to watch at times but it is fantastic drama. It's 12 episodes and while 11 might have sufficed it is still very tightly written. The characters are well realized, like-able and develop believably. The animation is well above average, the action sequences are top notch, the horror is horrific and the comedy relief is funny. Hell, even the dub is above average. Alexis Tipton and Leah Clarke in particular play off each other very well. Rewatch value is low for me because as a grown man it is not right for me to cry.
Do note that the first episode is somewhat different in tone from the rest.
If you don't mind spoilers Wonderduck has a very thorough play-by-play style overview of every episode. It can be accessed here.
If you dislike spoilers do NOT buy from the Funimation site as their sales page inexplicably describes the last story arc in detail.
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